
THE 



i^' 



ALARM 



How one 'Philip Lester cartieci the same from 

His home in SAUGATUCK 

to RIDGEHELD 

by the way o( 

CANAAN PARISH 

At the time of the fuming of Danbury and of 

His Perilous Adventure with the British after 

THE BATTLE OF RIDGEHELD 

A.D., 1777 



NARRATED BY EMMA W. LAW DEMERITT 



RAlhhtd by /. R HERSAM of Vhe JDVERTISER PRESS. 
eV^u; Canaan, Conneeiieul 



Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
in 2010 witii funding from 
Tine Library of Congress 



http://www.arcliive.org/details/alarmnarrativeofOOdeme 



THE ALARM 

First Edition of 1000 Copies for Sale by all Newsdealers, 

or by mail, post paid, on receipt of price, 

Twenty-five cents 

Entire Proceeds for the New Canaan Library 
Building Fund 




The Compo Minute Man 
H. Daniel Webster, Sc. 



THE 


ALARM 


A Narrative 


of the British Invasion 


of 


Connecticut 




1777 


BY EMMA 


W. LAW DEMERITT 


Drawings an 


d Fotos by W. F. Weed. 


John E. Hersam, Printer and Publisher | 


The 


Advertiser Press 


New C 


anaan, Connecticut 



INTRODUCTORY. 

* * * This little book should tend to deepen the 
interest in, and definitely locate an important event in 
Connecticut History. 

William Hanford Burr. 
Westport, Conn., May 16, 1910. 



Copyright, 1910, by 

John E. Hersam 

Published, June, 1910. 



©CIA265656 




COMPO BEACH, SAUGATUGK. 



THE ALARIVI 



CHAPTER I 

It was the Spring of 1777. The warm South wind 
and the mellow, April sunshine had brought out the 
summer tints on the Connecticut hills and meadows, 
v/hile from the budding boughs of the mossy, old 
apple trees, came the clear piping of the robin 
mingled with the joyous warbling of the bluebird. 
Overhead, arched the blue sky, in which the hurry- 
ing clouds, like stately ships, went sailing by. Be- 
neath, lay the blue Sound, its sparkling waters toss- 
ing with the perpetual unrest of the ocean. On the 
farther shore, the white sandbanks of Long Island, 
with their background of undulating hills, showed 
clear and distinct in the morning light. 

At some distance inland, on an eminence com- 
manding a wide swesp of the surrounding country, 
and directly overlooking the river wh'ch separated 
7 



the Saugatuck district of Norwalk from the Compo 
district of Fairfield, West Parish, stood a gable- 
roofed farmhouse. The door of the house was 
thrown open and a woman, pail on arm, appeared on 
the threshold. Shading her eyes with one hand, her 
quick glance swept the entire expanse of glittering 
water, and the anxious lines in her face straightened 
out a little as she said with a sigh of relief, "Another 
night has passed and — thank God! no harm has 
come to us yet." 

She stood for a moment drinking in the exquisite 
beauty of the scene before her, "What a beautiful 
world it would be," she murmured softly, "were it 
not for this dreadful war cloud hovering over us!" 
Then, she turned to go to the well which stood only 
a few feet distant, but stopped and gave a little 
start of surprise. Lying on the doorstep directly in 
front of her, was a bit of paper with a stone placed 
on it to keep it from blowing away. She gazed down 
at it, her look of wonder giving way to a frown of 
annoyance as she pushed aside the stone with her 
foot and exclaimed, impatiently, " 'Tis another trick 
of some of these malicious, Tory lads. Truly, I 
think they sit up nights devising schemes for annoy- 
ing and injuring us. The old saying is right, 'a fire- 
side enemy is worse than an open foe.' " 

She set down the pail and stooping, picked up the 
paper and held it out at arm's length, scrutinizing 
carefully the words, "For Mistress Lester," scrawled 
on the outside. But they furnished no clue what- 
ever to the identity of the writer, for the cramped, 
and almost illegible characters were evidently in- 
tended as a disguise. She unfolded the paper, and 
the color left her cheeks and she caught her breath 
sharply as she read the missive through once, and 
then again, as if trying to take in the full signifi- 



cance of its contents. The communication ran thus: 
"Mistress Lester. 

"When the destroying Angel saw the red marks 
on the* door posts of the Israelites, he withheld his 
smiting hand. If any danger should threaten you, 
or yours, bear in mind, that in The Sign of the White 
Cross alone, lie deliverance and safety. Keep your 
counsel to yourself— Bide your time, and, remember! 
"A Tory Who Wishes You Well." 

A third time she glanced over the lines. " 'The 
Sign of the White Cross,' " she read aloud, in a 
voice trembling with emotion. "What mystery is 
this! Whether it be boyish malice or friendly cau- 
tion, it but serves the same purpose; to add one 
more straw to a heart already overburdened." 

She folded up the paper and thrust it in the bosom 
of her gown for safe keeping. "I'll heed the cau- 
tion and bide my time. I'll see what the next few 
days bring forth, before I tell the others. One heavy 
heart will suffice for a household. If I should show 
the paper to Philip, 'twould only worry the lad, and 
perchance, needlessly. Let him take what comfort 
he can. There's no knowing what troublous times 
the future has in store for him; a capture by the 
British, perhaps, and the horrors of the prison ship 
or the sugar-house dungeons." 

She shuddered, as she set down her pail, pulled 
down the well sweep and drew up a brimming buc- 
ket, from which the sparkling drops fell with a musi- 
cal tinkle into the cool depths beneath. The smoke 
w^as curling up in faint, blue wreaths from the chim- 
ney, as she passed into the house and found an old 
colored man, on his knees by the fireplace, busily 
plying the bellows. "Now, Missy!" he exclaimed 
reproachfully, "what for did yer go an' do dat? What 
you tink de Cap'en say, if he knew you'se a doin' 
9 



Pompey's work? H-e'd say, 'Pomp, you black rascal, 
why fore didn' I take yer off to de war wid me as 
body servant; whyfore didn' I gib yer a chance to 
cober yerself wid glory in fightin' fer yer kentry! 
Wasn't it bekase I lef yer fer to look after yer mis- 
sus, an' keep her from wearin' herself out wid de 
common an' coarse grudgery ob de house, dat's jess 
fit fer ole, black han's like dese.' " He tok the pail 
from her unresisting hand, filled an iron pot with 
water, hung it on a crane and swung it out over the 
blazing logs. "What yer tink de Cap'en say," he 
reiterated, "if he come in de room dis blessed mo- 
ment an' see yer a toting dis heavy pail!" 

The tears sprang to Mrs. Lester's eyes. "I'd give 
all I possess in the world if I could see him walking 
in, this moment, safe and sound." She sank wearily 
into a chair. "O Pompey! My heart is heavy and 
sad!" 

"Shorely, shorely Missy. 'Taint noways surprisin' 
wen you'se got a husban' at de front, fighting like 
Goliath, right by de side of Gineral Washington his- 
self. An' I 'lows, how you'se got cause fer alarm 
rig'ht chere, at home, in tinking you'se got a boy 
dat's like to be gobbled up by de reg'lars wen dey 
come across de Soun' on dere debbil's arrands. Dey, 
an' dose sneakin' Tories only fight de women an' de 
young boys; dey dasn't face a man! But dere's an- 
oder side ob tings. Missy. De redcoats hab been 
gittin' some turrible whacks lately, an' in de back, 
too — Hurray fur de Continentalers! Den dere's dat 
Prencher Markiss dat has jess come ober de sea 
to help fight King George. Why, his bery name. 
Laugh-yet, is nuff to make de sojers more cheerfuler, 
You'se feel better when you've had a bite to eat 
I knows by 'sperience, dat an empty stomach jess 
takes all de courageous out ob a man. Now you 
10 



jess keep still an rest, while I gits de breakfiiss." 

He bustled around, and put the Indian meal in 
the pot and stirred it vigorously with a little wooden 
paddle, while boiling. "Not too much salt, Pompey," 
cautioned Mrs. Lester, as he slowly sifted in a hand- 
ful. Then he went to the pantry and brought out a 
loaf of bread, a print of golden butter, and a big, 
brown jug of milk, and placed them on the table. 
" 'Taint no such breakfuss as we used to hab in de 
gloriferous times when de Cap'en was home," he 
mumbled, looking askance at the scanty meal. 

"Whar's de gran' blue chiny fit fer de King?" he 
continued, in a melancholy sort of chant. "It's 
buried in a pit under de barn to keep it from de 
British. Whar's de silver candlesticks an' tankards 
shinin' fit to put yer eyes out? — Dey's hid in de hol- 
low ob de ole apple tree wid no one but de wood- 
pecker to keep watch. Dere's no plump chicken, no 
juicy ham, no tender venison, no pigeon pasty," he 
smacked his lips — "makes ole Pompey's mouth 
v/ater, jess to tink ob dose good, ole times. If tings 
gits much worser, 'specks we'll hab to lib on crow.'' 

"Pompey," said Mrs. Lester, turning to him stern- 
ly. "What right have you to complain, when our 
brave men at the front have neither sufficient food 
to eat, nor clothes to keep them warm." 

Pompey hung his head "De Lord knows, Missy, 
I wasn't complainin'. I was jess a recollecking. 
Dey ain't no great sin in dat, is dey?" He drew a 
fiddleback chair up to the table and patted the 
cushion coaxingly. "Now, you jess sit down an' eat 
a little. Missy; 'twill do yer a powerful sight o' 
good." He waited with bowed head while Mrs. Les- 
ter said a brief grace. Then he took his bowl of 
pudding and milk and went out on the leanto, and 
sat down on a wooden bench, in the sunshine. 
11 



Hardly had he lifted the spoon to his mouth when 
there came the sound of a horse going at full gallop. 
Hastily setting down the bowl, he ran around the 
corner of the house, followed by Mrs. Lester, In- 
stinctively, their eyes turned first towards the 
Sound, for that was the quarter from which danger 
was ever impending. The British held possession of 
Long Island and it was a part of their war policy to 
send frequent parties of regulars and Tories across 
the Sound to capture and plunder the inhabitants of 
the Connecticut coast, which was left almost en- 
tirely defenseless by the departure of nearly all the 
able-bodied men for the Continental Army. 

But neither Pompey nor his mistress could detect 
any cause for alarm in that direction. Not a sail 
dotted the blue water; not even a row boat was in 
sight. They began to breathe freely once more as a 
joyous "halloo!" from the road at the north of the 
house greeted their ears. In a moment more, a 
young negro dashed up to the house and sprang from 
his horse with a low bow. 

"Mornin' Madame Lester." "De Colonel sends his 
compliments, an' says to tell you, whenever you 
wants some mutton, to send Pompey over de river 
to Compo beach, to kill a fine, fat sheep. I'se jess 
driven over a flock from Green's Farms 'cause de 
pasture is better here. Dere dey is now, a grazin' 
on de salt meadows, mos' a hundred of 'em." 

"Thank your master kindly for me. Sambo, and 
say to him that his gift is most welcome. We were 
getting short of fresh meat." 

"Should say so," muttered Pompey. " 'Specks I 
shall have to be interjuced to dat sheep; it's so long 
since ole 'Pomp' has had a taste ob mutton." 

"I'll send Pompey over this morning to kill a 
sheep," continued Mrs. Lester. " 'Twill give him 
12 



ample time to dress it for the Sabbath day dinner." 

" 'Specks, Missy, I better wait till afternoon. De 
Captain's orders was, not to leabe you alone, an' 
Marse Philip won't be back till dinner time." 

"Very well, Pompey, let it be afternoon, then." 
Mrs. Lester turned eagerly to the new comer. "Is 
your master at home? Truly I did not know that he 
was expected." 

"De Colonel is always a comin', like de unexpect- 
ed thief in de night time. He hab arrive after dark 
las' night, and he was up an' off fore de sunrise, so 
as to 'scape dose spyin' Tories' eyes." 

"Did he bring news of the affray at Peekskill?" 

"I oberheard him say de British didn' git all dey 
was after, but dey took so many ob de tents, dat de 
sojers'll have to do widout." 

"Said he aught of the coming of the French?" 

" 'Specks he's tickled most to death. He sat up 
till nearly midnight talkin' to de Madame 'bout it. 
He said the Markiss Lay,a'fit came ober in his own 
ship and brought some money to help pay de sojers 
off. Ebery time de Colonel come home before wid 
a face as long as de horse, but dis time, he's as 
laughin' as a boy," 

"Give Sambo a mug of milk, Pompey; he must be 
hungry after his ride." 

"I tank you. Missy, but I done hab my breakfuss 
before I lef Green's Farms. An' as I've considder- 
ble plantin' to do yet, I must be off." 

With a parting caution to Pompey to keep an eye 
on the sheep and see that the Tories didn't steal any, 
and promising to come back every two or three 
days to look after them himself, he sprang on his 
horse and cantered away. But he had only gone a 
few yards when he wheeled suddenly and rode back. 
"I've done forgotted de considerbblest part ob my 
13 



arrand," he said, with a crestfallen air. "De Colonel 
and Madame Nash said bery particular, to tell you, 
if you suspicioned any danger, or any mischief was 
a brewin' wid de Tories, to take de horse an' Marse 
Phil, an' come across de ferry an' ride on to Greens 
Farms an' make de mansion your home. He said 
Pompey could stay here, an' look after tings, an' if 
any danger came he could hide de valibles, and take 
de boat and row across de river an' git away." 

"De Colonel 'specks dis nigger to stan' up alone 
an' fight de whole ob King George's men? Well, if 
ole Pomp can't do da,t, he kin gib de British de long- 
est fox hunt dey eber hab, kase he knows ebery hid- 
ing place in dis part ob de kentry." 

It was considerably past the dinner hour when 
the kitchen door opened and a sturdy lad of sixteen 
entered. "I'm a little late, mother, but I had such 
good luck fishing, that I couldn't bear to come away. 
And then, as I came past the blacksmith's shop, 
there was such a crowd there, all excited and talk- 
ing, that I stayed to see what it was about." 

"Any new danger?" interrupted Mrs. Lester, press- 
ing her hand to the paper in her bosom. 

"It seems that General Silliman has sent out ex- 
presses — warning the people that there are rumors 
of a British raid by way of the North River, and 
then cross country somewhere. And as there is no 
knowing where they may strike, he advises people 
to be prepared to hide all valuables and take to the 
woods and swamps at the first approach of danger." 

Mrs. Lester rose from her chair and gave a hasty 
glance at the Sound. "Danger from the South by 
water! Danger from the North by land. Truly 
we are beset with peril. O Lord, Thou alone art 
our refuge and our strength." With an effort she 
mastered her agitation and went on more calmly, 
14 



"Go into the pantry, Philip, and get what you want, 
while I go and send Pompey over the river to 
Compo beach for a sheep which Colonel Nash has 
offered me." 

"All right, mother, and after I've had something to 
eat, I'll mend that spinning wheel as I promised, so 
that it will be ready for use." 



15 




TOURNIER HOMESTEAD, NEW CANAAN. 



CHAPTER II. 

Directly behind the Lester dwelling, was an old 
orchard with its gnarled trunks and twisted boughs 
covered with lichen, From this point, the ridge, on 
which stood both house and orchard, dipped sharply 
to the north. On this declivity, the Lesters had built 
their barn, the intervening high ground completely 
shutting it off from observation by Sound or river. 
After Philip had satisfied his hunger, he took his 
tools and went out to the barn to make the prom- 
ised repairs on the spinning wheel. Mrs. Lester re- 
tired to .a small bed room, at the northern end of 
the house, which she darkened, by drawing together 
the wooden shutters. Then she threw herself on the 
bed to rest. She was too excited and nervous over 
the mysterious letter and the news which Philip 
had brought, to go to sleep at once; but it was im- 
possible to resist long the soothing influence of the 
dim light and the quiet. 

16 



Gradually the sound of hammer and saw out at the 
barn grew fainter and fainter, and at last, the ten- 
sion of tightly strung nerves relaxed, and she fell 
into a profound slumber. When she awoke, the tall 
clock in the corner of the living room was announc- 
ing the hour with exasperating deliberation, "One! 
— two! — three! — four!" it droned. Rubbing her eyes 
and yawning, she arose, and bathed her face and 
smoothed her rumpled hair in front of the little, gilt- 
framed mirror with the bunch of peacock's feathers 
thrust behind the shining row of gold balls at the 
top. Then she donned a freshly starched, print 
short gown and petticoat, and picked up the little 
note of warning which she had laid on the blue and 
white coverlet while dressing. Returning it to its 
former hiding-place in the folds of her bodice, she 
went out into the kitchen, and stood, proudly sur- 
veying a row of rye loaves which she had taken 
from the brick oven as the result of the morning's 
baking. She placed the bread on a moulding board 
and set it in the pantry. Then she passed out on 
the porch, and as the air was growing a trifle chilly, 
she quickened her steps through the orchard and 
down the grassy slope to the barn. For the first 
time since the breaking out of hostilities between 
the mother country and her American colonies, she 
forgot her customary scrutiny of the Sound. 

Philip sat in the open doorway putting the finish- 
ing touches to his task. He looked up laughing: "It 
isn't much to show for a whole afternoon's work, is 
it mother? You see, I hadn't the right tools and I 
couldn't get along very fast. But I have fixed it so 
it goes all right. And, look! I've whittled out a 
new wheelpin; the old one was loose." 

He fitted in the peg and with a few, sudden turns 
sent the big wheel whirling and humming in its 
17 



swift revolutions. 

"You have done well, my son. Now, as I shall have 
plenty of yarn, I shall be able to knit socks for the 
soldiers next winter." As she turned towards the 
boy he saw the gathering tears in her eyes. 

"Mother!" he exclaimed reproachfully, "you have 
been worrying about father!" 

Mrs. Lester nodded, unable to trust herself to 
speak. 

"It won't do to lose heart now, after keeping up 
such splendid courage all through those dreadful 
days when Washington's half-starved little army kept 
backing, through Jersey, with the Red Coats so close 
behind, that oftentimes they were within shooting 
distance of our men who were at work tearing up 
the bridges! Things have taken a turn for the 
better now!" 

Mrs, Lester's lip quivered, and in an instant, the 
boy was by her side with his arm around her neck. 
"Dear, little mother. Brave little mother!" he said 
gently. "After all, the women have the hardest part 
of the war. For the men, there are the camp life, 
and the marching and the glory! but for the women 
at home, there are only the watching and the wait- 
ing. But there is something new troubling you! 
I saw it the moment I came home to-day. You can- 
not hide it from me if you would! What is it?" 

Mrs. Lester looked fixedly at her boy. "There is 
a new trouble," she said, gravely. "It may mean 
something, or it may be merely a trick of our Tory 
neighbors to frighten us. Wait but a moment and 
I will tell you what it is." 

She drew the paper out from her dress and held 
it up. "I found this, early this morning, on the 
door-step. Some one had put a stone on it to make 
sure that it reached its destination." 
18 



She smoothed out the paper and in a voice tremu- 
lous with emotion, read it through slowly. Then 
she paused for a reply, looking expectantly at the 
boy. 

Philip stood, speechless with amazement, staring 
first, at his mother and then at the paper in her 
hand. Finally, he managed to gasp, "Do you sus- 
pect?" — 

"No one!" 

"Do you know the writing?" 

"No." 

"Can you not even guess who sent it?" 

"If all the Tories in the neighborhood should de- 
clare, under oath, that they wished me well, I 
wouldn't believe them. A Tory is incapable of wish- 
ing any one well," answered Mrs. Lester, sharply. 
"There is no one of them all, who has for us, aught 
in his heart but the bitterest hatred, unless — unless" 
— ^she hesitated, and looked down at the paper atten- 
tively. "There is absolutely no one, unless it is 
Goodman Hull. I think he would do me a good turn 
if he could." 

"Well he might!" returned the boy, "after your 
going to take care of his sick wife when none of her 
own family dared to go near the house." 

"I am glad I went. Our families hadn't been on 
speaking terms for over a year, and bitter words 
had passed between us on account of their taking 
sides with the King and our standing firm, by the 
Continentals. But when he came to me all broken 
down with grief, my anger seemed to melt away, 
and I remembered only that Ruth Hull and I had 
been girls together and loved one another like sis- 
ters. It was a blessed thing that I had the courage 
to go — for I didn't take the fever and I was such a 
19 



comfort to her. She died, holding my hand and 
falling asleep as peacefully as a baby." 

"Then if the warning comes from Goodman Hull, 
we shall do well to heed it." Philip took the paper 
and read musingly, "'The Sign of the White Cross!' 
What does it mean!" 

Here, he was interrupted by the sharp crack of a 
distant musket. Mother and son started nervously 
and leaned forward, listening breathlessly for the 
second report, which came a moment later, followed 
by a third. It was the signal agreed upon by the 
dwellers in the coast towns of Connecticut in case 
of a sudden invasion by the British. 

Mrs. Lester seized the paper and followed Philip, 
who darted up the slope, through the orchard, into 
the house and up the winding stairs leading to the 
second story. Before he could open the door of a 
large corner room which commanded a view of both 
Sound and river, an answering "pop — pop — pop" 
sounded from another quarter. It was the alarm 
gun, showing that the warning was being passed 
along. As the boy stepped inside, he ran toward 
the south window and eagerly scanned the Sound 
Not a white sail showed on the shimmering water. 
On the Long Island shore naught was visible save 
the gleaming sand banks, changing from delicate, 
opalescent hues to a deep, rosy glow as the sun dip- 
ped toward the western horizon. 

A low cry from his mother caused him to wheel 
suddenly. She was standing by the window, which 
fronted the east, and he saw her face blanched by 
fear, while her outstretched hand which was point- 
ing to the river, shook like an aspen leaf. 

At the mouth of the Saugatuck was a large fleet, 
riding safely at anchor. From the tallest mast flut- 
tered the royal standard of King George. Two boat- 
20 



loads of soldiers were putting off from the flagship, 
v/hile the beach at Compo swarmed with scarlet 
coated troops marching and countermarching. The 
flashing bayonets, the showy uniforms and gold lace 
of the officers made a brilliant picture, set off most 
effectively by the deep, rich background of brown, 
salt marsh. 

Philip was a lad of vivid imagination. He had 
often wondered what he would do in case of an 
invasion by the British. He had pictured himself 
in various heroic, and dignified attitudes, mounted 
on a fiery charger and making a spirited dash against 
the enemy — or defending his mother and home 
against the foreign hordes assailing them. He had 
even acted out these chivalric deeds, in the barn 
with Pompey as audience. He was especially fond 
of rehearsing the receiving of his death blow and 
falling back gracefully in the arms of the old colored 
man, and saying, in deep, bass tones, "My country! 
'tis for thee I die!" 

It was therefore, with a sense of profound morti- 
fication that he felt his hair rise straight on end, and 
the cold shivers creep, in a succession of little 
waves, down his back. He found that his first im- 
pulse was to take to his heels most ingloriously, 
without a thought of mother, home — or country. 
But the memory of his father's charge when he 
left for the war, revived his drooping courage. He 
could almost feel again the tender pressure of the 
hand laid on his head, and hear the earnest words, 
"My son! Fear God, take care of your mother and 
pray for your country!" 

"Mother!" he said, turning to her vixed that 

he could not control his agitation. "This is no place 

for you. We may be within range of the guns on 

shipboard," and in spite of all his efforts his voice 

21 



broke into a timorous, little squeak, "Come, let us 
go!" 

As soon as lie had reached the lower floor, he be- 
gan to breathe more freely. Mrs. Lester wrung her 
hands. "Oh! what shall we do!" she moaned. "If 
Pompey were only here, he could help us. Poor 
Pompey! I fear I have sent him to his death out 
there on the Compo flats." 

"Never mind Pompey; he is a man and can look 
out for himself. Think rather of yourself. You 
are our first care!" 

Philip's scattered wits were gradually returning, 
and he felt himself each moment, growing more 
equal to the responsibility so suddenly forced upon 
him. 

"The broad river flows between us and the enemy 
— thank God for that, If they come this way, they 
will have to cross at the ford, and that is some dis- 
tance above, so we shall have time to get out of 
their way." 

Mrs. Lester, followed by Philip, went from writing 
desk to chest of drawers, gathering her few treas- 
ures in an apron. Then they hurried out through 
the orchard, and stopped at a clump of bushes and 
rocks near the barn. Philip seized a pitchfork, and 
using the handle as a lever, tilted one of the smaller 
rocks to one side, while his mother stooped and hid 
her valuables in a little hollow carefully scooped 
out beneath. "The Red Coats will need a hawk's 
eyes to spy that out," he said, withdrawing the pitch 
fork and letting the rock roll back to its place. "1 
wish we had half as safe a hiding place for Black 
Bess! She's the most valuable thing on the place. 
Come with me to the barn, mother, and help me 
think what is best to do." 

They stood for a moment, hesitating, by the stall, 
22 



Philip with his arm thrown over the mare's glossy 
neck, when the side door was flung violently open, 
and Pompey, ghastly and panting, tumbled in a heap 
at Mrs. Lester's feet, rolling over and over and fill- 
ing the barn with the most unearthly wails and 
moans. "Oh! oh! oh! Missy! it's time fer Gabriel 
to blow his horn. De day ob jedgment hab shorely 
come! De red coats is here! King George an' his 
whole army hab landed on Compo beach!" 

Mrs. Lester and Philip lifted the old man to his 
feet. His wooly locks were filled with hayseed, his 
eyes rolled wildly and his teeth chattered as he told 
his story. 

"You see, Missy, I done kill de sheep as you tol' 
me. Den I 'member dat de flat fish was a bitin' 
an' I put de carkiss in de shade, an' sat down in a 
cleft between two big rocks an' put out my line." 

Mrs. Lester shook him by the shoulder. "We've 
no time to listen to all that. Danger is pressing; 
we must act at once! Speak out quickly! What 
has happened?" 

"You needn' be so tarrified, Missy; dey isn't 
comin' dis way at all. Dey's gwine ter march up 
kentry on de oder side ob de river. Dey wouldn' 
look at us — dey's after bigger game." Then he 
went on more composedly. "I 'spose 'twas on ac- 
count ob de warmness ob de sun dat I fell asleep 
I was woke by de mos' dreffulest noise — as if de 
whole creation was a shoutin' an a hollerin' on de 
Oder side ob de rock. I climb up an' peek ober an' 
dere was de red coats a swarmin' like ants. I drop 
down an' lay dere, skasely darin' to wink. Pretty 
soon, some sojers saw me, an' grabbed de sheep 
by de tail an' me by de hair, an' drag us off to de 
officers Dey was all dressed up. wid powdered hair 
an' ruffled shirts as gay as ef dey was gwine to a 
23 



ball. De tongue stuck fast to de roof ob my mouth, 
an' de chief est officer; — don' know but he was King 
George hisself, he strut roun' so gran' jess like a 
turkey cock, — he holler in my ear, kase he thought 
I was deaf, "Where you git dat sheep, you ole black- 
a-moor?" 

"I point to de sheep up furder on de salt meadow, 
an' de officer tell de men to take 'em all an' he'd gib 
'em a taste of Yankee mutton. Den he tole 'em, how 
I was nuffin but an ole, deaf nigger an order 'em to 
let me go. Den he gib my hair a twist dat like to 
hab tore de scalp off, an' point wid his sword to de 
sheep an' say, 'We've done got black wool an' white 
wool too.' I kep' edgin' off an' actin' as near like 
a fool as I knows how, until I came to de bank ob de 
river. Den I scramble down to de boat an' I was 
half way across before any one saw me. I 'speck 
every moment to see de balls come skipping roun', 
but dey didn' seem to tink I'se worth de trouble ob 
catchin'. 

"But I kep' my ears open Missy, while de officers 
was a givin' der orders, an' I foun' out all de plans. 
Dey's gwine to D anbury — " 

"To Danbury?" achoed Mrs. Lester, with a cry of 
anguish. "And my sister is there with those four 
little children, and her husband away in the army! 
O! Phil! is there no way to warn them?" 

Pompey continued: "But I foun' out something 
else, dat's gwine to be de salvation ob us all. Dat 
pomptuous officer, tole de men bery particular, dat 
when dey see de Sign of de White Cross, dey was 
to pass by dat house, fer it meant dat de folks 
dere was frien's to King George an' his cause. Ki 
yi! trust old Pompey. He'll git a chunk ob lime an' 
mark a big, white cross on de house, on de barn an' 
on de back of ebery livin' sinner in dis yere house." 
24 



Mother and son exchanged significant glances. 
"The Sign of the White Cross! Now we know what 
it means. It was a friendly warning, after all," said 
Philip. 

Mrs. Lester's lips were pressed tightly together 
with an air of determination. "Get Bess ready at 
once," she spoke, very quietly. "I am going to ride 
to Danbury to warn my sister." 

Pompey started at her, bewildered. 

"Hurry Philip! hurry Pompey," she urged, "there 
is no time to lose!" 

"Mother, are you mad? Think of the danger." 

"Think ramer of my sister's danger! I should be 
a craven to stay here and leave her to her fate. 
And I may be in time to save the supplies! Make 
haste. Don't waste a second!" 

Philip vaulted into the stall and began untying 
the mare's halter. Gone were all his cowardly 
fears. He saw his duty plainly and did not shrink. 
When he spoke again, it was with a manly, decided 
ring in his voice. "You are in the right, mother, but 
it is I who will ride to Danbury to-night." 

"No — no! never! The risk is greater for you. Ex- 
pose you to the danger of being captured and taken 
away to those terrible prison ships? No — a thousand 
times, no!" 

"I rather think if any one goes with the alarm, 
it will be the man of the family," returned Philip, 
putting the bit in the mare's mouth. "Whoa, Bess! 
steady there! Back, I say! It's of no use talking, 
mother. Bess hasn't been out of the stable for three 
days and you couldn't keep your seat for a mo- 
ment." 

"Take the pillion, then, and let us go together." 

"It would make more weight and only delay us. 
Every second tells now, you know." 
25 



"Send Pompey!" 

"It would never do. The mare is as wild as a 
liawk. She'd pitch Pompey off the first quarter of a 
mile. Steady there, you Bess! Back! I say!" 

The mare was a magnificent specimen of horse- 
flesh, clean-limbed with a glossy coat and a head as 
slender as a deer's, with sensitive, dilating nostrils 
She came out of the barn, plunging and rearing, and 
nearly lifting Philip from his feet. Then she stood 
pawing the ground and quivering with the desire to 
be off. 

Mrs. Lester clenched her hands tightly. "O! my 
boy! I cannot, cannot, let you go. If you should be 
taken prisoner!" 

"But I don't mean to be, if Bess and I can help it. 
And please, mother, don't put any such unpleasant 
ideas in my head. I am ashamed to think what a 
coward the first sight of those red coats made me. 
But I've got over that now, and just begin to feel like 
fighting. Don't worry. I shall not take the post 
road. I'm going by a roundabout way through 
Canaan Parish; then to Ridgefield to stop at Cousin 
John's and feed Bess, and tell them there, and then 
— straight to Danbury! And we'll make the dust 
fly, I tell you! The road is not as broad and 
smooth as the King's highway, and it's longer, but 
there's no danger of running across the red coats, 
and Tories are not as plenty in Canaan Parish as 
on the Norwalk turnpike. I've been over the ground 
so many times while hunting with father, that I 
think I can pick my way in the dark. Now, remem- 
ber, you promise, if the British come back this way 
that you'll go over to Goodman Hull's. After that 
warning I can trust him to protect you." 

"An' don' you let it 'scape your mind, Marse 
Phil, dat de sign ob de White Cross will save your 
26 



Aunt Ellen, if de wust comes to de wust, an' de red 
coats 'tempts to chaw up ebery man an' woman, an" 
chile dey meets" 

"All right, Pompey! Now, mother, will you give 
me your blessing?" 

Mrs. Lester laid her trembling hands on Philip's 
bowed head. "God bless and keep you, my boy," 
she said, in a voice choked with sobs. 

IMother and son were clasped In a close embrace, 
and then, the black mare rushed by like a whirl- 
wind, bearing her young rider, with a bounding 
stride, up the hill and out of sight. 

Mrs. Lester sank on her knees and raised her 
clasped hands to the heavens. "O, Lord God!" she 
sobbed. "Keep this thy young servant under the. 
shadow of Thy wing, and in the hollow of Thy 
hand!" 

The old man looked on, his honest, black face 
working with emotion. "De good Lord pity yer, Mis- 
sy," he said softly. "It's pretty hard, dat am a fact, 
to hab to send husband an' boy both out inter de 
baggonets an' de cannon balls an' de bullets, but" — 
he straightened up with a sort of majesty — "cheer 
up, Missy. "I beliebe dis am de Lord's cause, an' 
I hab ebery reason to speck dat He kin take care ob 
His own." 



27 





1 


i 




^k 


9 ll 


1 


i«si»S*isa„ 



KEELER TAVERN, RIDGEFIELD. 



CHAPTER III. 

After the first mile or two, during which she 
shied at every white stone, or jumped aside as 
nimbly as a kitten whenever a broken tree limb or 
other suspicious object lay across her path, Black 
Bess seemed to realize the importance of good be- 
havior. She abandoned all gambols and curvettings, 
and settled down to steady work with a powerful, 
swinging stride that argued well for a quick passage 
over the road. 

Again and again, as he drew near the little ham- 
lets that varied the monotony of the virgin forest, 
Philip drew rein and raising himself in his stirrups, 
put both hands to his mouth and gave a lusty 
'^hallo!" 

The startled farmers, driving the cattle home from 

pasture or milking in the barnyard, caught the cry, 

so fraught with impending disaster, "The British! 

The British! They're marching to Danbury!" — and 

28 



the flying apparition, the clatter of hoofs and the 
ringing shout, were responsible for many an over- 
turned pail of milk. By dusk, he had passed through 
Canaan Parish, causing the good wonaen of the quiet, 
little settlement to rush to door and window, and 
stand with arms a-kimbo, speculating as to the cause 
of his break-neck speed. When the shadows of 
night began to close in on him, he was well on the 
way to Ridgefleld. He lost his way once, for it was 
difficult in the twilight to distinguish the main thor- 
oughfare, which was grass grown and hedged by 
bushes, from the blind trails which led into mid- 
forest. Considerable time was consumed in retrac- 
ing his steps and he went on, more slowly, as the 
road grew more and more hilly. He paused now and 
then to breathe the mare, for on her strength and 
endurance hung the fate of so many. 

Again he turned aside, as he supposed, in the 
right direction, but after riding a few rods, he felt 
the thrashing of the bushes against his face and by 
the splashing of the horse's feet in the water, he 
knew that the path he was following had ended 
abruptly in a swamp. This second mistake convinc- 
ed him of the folly of proceeding in that way. It 
was only a waste of time. The only thing to be 
done w^as to wait patiently, until the coming of the 
dawn before continuing his journey. 

"Patiently!" Philip clenched his hands at the 
thought "Up at Danbury, were all those people, 
unprepared for the danger so near at hand. And 
the supplies were guarded only by Colonel Cook with 
a handful of militia. Such a contest as that would 
be simply a massacre. O what can a helpless boy 
like me do!" Philip groaned aloud, "Not much by 
myself, perhaps, but with God's help — everything!" 
His courage rose with the thought — ^"Yes, even to 
29 



outwitting that wily Tryon and the splendid force 
which he had seen only a short time before, march- 
ing and wheeling on the salt marsh at Compo, in all 
the bravery of scarlet livery, and tossing plumes 
and flashing sword and bayonet, Surely, a light 
rider with a horse as fleet as the wind, ought to 
make better time, even with unexpected delays, than 
an army of British soldiers hampered by 
cannon and camp baggage." He stopped by the 
side of a small stream in order to water Bess. He 
dismounted and walked the mare up and down the 
road to give her time to cool off. Then, he tethered 
her where she could browse by the wayside, and in 
this wild and lonely spot, he passed the remainder 
of the night, chafing and fretting over his enforced 
halt. One by one, the constellations rose and sank 
in their nightly procession through the sky. The 
marsh frogs filled the woods with their plaintive 
piping, while now and then, the stealthy tread of 
some wild animal prowling in the underbrush, caus- 
ed him to start to his feet and whistle to keep up his 
courage. With the first glimmer of dawn, Philip 
resumed his journey. He found that he was several 
miles out of his way, and in trying to recover his 
lost trail, he wasted so much time that it was after 
noon when tired, and faint with hunger, he arrived 
at his Cousin John's home in Ridgefield town. 

The inhabitants were not wholly unprepared for 
the unwelcome news. For several weeks, there had 
been rumors of a British raid and valuables were 
already hidden, in stone fences — in wells, and all 
sorts of out-of-the-way places. Further packing was 
at once begun, so as to be ready for flight at the 
first sign of the English soldiery. Much to Philip's 
disappointment, his cousin John sternly forbade him 
to go on. "I'll take my musket and ride to Danbury 
30 



and give the alarm. It needs an older and a more 
cautious head than yours to send on such a danger- 
ous errand. After I have put your Aunt Ellen in 
some safe hiding place, I'll join the militia and strike 
a blow for liberty. At such a time, a man is needed 
— not a boy." 

"And the Sign of the White Cross — you'll remem- 
ber that?" asked Philip, anxiously. 

"I'll die before I put the miserable Tory mark on 
me or mine," returned Cousin John, flushing to his 
temples. 

The afternoon wore wearily on to the anxious, 
little household. Towards evening, they heard the 
booming of cannon to the north, and during the 
night the sky was lighted with an ominous, yellow 
glare. The next morning, a horse, flecked with 
foam, came dashing down Ridgefield street, bearing 
a messenger both coatless and hatless. "Fly! Fly!" 
he shouted. "The regulars are coming! Down the 
road! Through Ridgebury Parish!" 

In a few hurried words, he told the awe-stricken, 
gaping crowd about him, of the burning of Danbury. 
He pictured for them, the dark, rainy night, the 
drunken soldiers plundering, and going from house 
to house with the blazing torch; the women, bare- 
headed, with little children clasped in their arms 
and clinging to their skirts, fleeing through the wet 
and cold, while the light of the cruel flames showed^ 
on the untouched houses of the jeering Tories, the 
Sign of the White Cross. 

Ridgefield street was soon filled with the terror- 
stricken inhabitants, escaping to the woods and 
mountains. In one hand, Philip held Black Bess' 
halter, while the other grasped a big bucket of pro- 
visions, The mare, with Cousin John's wife's best 
feather bed strapped to her back, looked like a cross 
31 



Ijetween an elephant and a camel. She seemed to 
resent the indignity of her position, and it was only 
after repeated persuasion that she was induced to go 
on, as Philip piloted his cousin's family through the 
wet meadows to the rocky glen behind the town. 

In the middle of the afternoon, one of the neigh- 
bors, who had remained behind to protect his prop- 
erty, and who had eluded capture by the British, 
escaped to the forest, and brought to the shivering, 
little party under the leafless trees, the news of the 
battle of Ridgefield. 

As soon as General Silliman, of the American 
Army, heard of the British invasion, he had hur- 
riedly sent out expresses and had gathered about 
five hundred men — taking them from the plow and 
the workshop, as he went along. On his march to 
Danbury, he was joined by General Wooster and 
General Benedict Arnold, each with a small force. 
Owing to the delay caused by the heavy rains, they 
did not reach Bethel until late Saturday night, and 
they decided not to attack the English until daylight. 
Early on Sunday, General Tryon began his hurried 
march back to his ships at Compo. Gen. Wooster 
dispatched General Silliman and General Arnold to 
Ridgefield to intercept the British, while he under- 
took to attack them in their rear. After a spirited 
sortie, the brave, old patriot was mortally wounded 
while rallying his men to a second charge. In the 
meantime. Generals Silliman and Arnold barricaded 
the narrow pass at the upper end of Ridgefield street 
and held it against the enemy until the latter gained 
the ledge of rocks above and forced the Americans 
to retreat. 

General Arnold fought with the most reckless 
courage, having his horse shot under him, while he 
calmly received the fire of a whole platoon of sol- 
32 



diers. Better far, had. he perished there, on the field 
of honor, than to have lived to betray the country 
which he had served on so many occasions, with 
such splendid and distinguished bravery. 

It seemed to Philip and his friends in the solitude 
of the woods, that the afternoon would never end. 
Twice, he begged to be allowed to go and see how 
it fared with the town, but was refused. The third 
time, he was more successful. 

"It's almost dark," he pleaded, "and I'll take Black 
Bess and make sure no one is in sight, before I go 
on," and his cousin's wife urged on by her own anx- 
iety, consented. Philip led Bess to the edge of the 
woods and then rode boldly over the first clearing. 
On he went, more cautiously, over the brook, and 
up the hill and through a strip of wood. Finding 
the way clear, he made a long detour to avoid a 
wide, deep ditch, and, encouraged by the stillness 
and the fast gathering darkness, entered a second 
belt of forest, and had nearly reached the farther 
side, when he came directly upon three troopers, ly- 
ing on the ground with their horses picketed beside 
them. 

Gen. Tryon had encamped for the night at Ridge- 
field, and like a wary commander, had widely ex- 
tended his picket line. 

"Who goes there!" shouted one of the soldiers, 
startled at the sudden apparition. 

"Who goes there? Halt! and give the countersign," 
rang through the woods, and Philip knew by the 
clanking of swords and the jingling of spurs that 
the soldiers were preparing to give chase. Crash, 
crash, went the hoofs over twigs and bushes, and 
as the riders emerged from the obscurity of the 
forest, the foremost trooper leveled his pistol at 
Philip. "Halt! I say! For the last time. Halt, or I'll 
33 



send a bullet through that Yankee skull of yours. 
Down with all rebels and long live King George." 

There was a flash — a report — but quicker than 
the ball sped Bess through the meadow. A stone 
fence stood in the way, but Philip's courage rose 
as he remenibered the mare's famous jumps in the 
past. Over she went, swerving not a jot, and clear- 
ed the fence at a bound. Two of the horses follow 
ing refused the leap, but the third, a lean, muscular 
roan, went over pluckily, and kept up the chase, 
gaining a little all the while. It was now, a race for 
life. On dashed the mare, while behind labored the 
panting roan. Suddenly there yawned wide, the 
dreaded ditch. Philip measured the distance with 
his eye. It was a fearful leap: was the mare equal 
to it! He made ready for the jump and with a low 
w^ord of encouragement, urged Bess forward. She 
gathered herself for the spring and sailed over like 
a bird. 

There was the sound of a heavy fall, and glancing 
hack, Philip saw the trooper flung headlong to the 
ground, while the big roan floundered helplessly at 
the bottom of the ditch. It was plain that the chase 
would not be renewed. Holding Bess in, he could 
not refrain from a triumphant shout, "Down with 
the British and long live General Washington, I 
say." 

Then he went on more slowly and reached the 
shelter of the woods, safe from further pursuit. 

The day after the British had retreated to their 
ships in the harbor and sailed away from the 
inhospitable Connecticut shore, Philip rode back to 
Saugatuck. His heart was light indeed, for he had 
learned on the way that his home was untouched, 
and he brought moreover, the good news of the 
safety of his Aunt Ellen in Danbury and of his Cou- 
34 



sin John and family. He was also not a little proud 
of the part he had taken in the skirmish of Ridge- 
field. 

As he came in sight of the house, he saw Pompey 
perched like a crow on the stone fence watching. 
*'Now, may de Lord be praised!" ejaculated the old 
man, brokenly. "Tender stan's yer ma, a smilin' in 
de doorway, an' here you is, not eben a hair ob yer 
blessed head harmed, an' de black mare's safe an' 
sound!" 



35 



THE RED WAVE. 



'T was more than a century ago— 
The blue waves broke in ceaseless flow 
On the yellow beach that a border made 
Like the buff and blue of an old brigade, 
Braided with sunlight on the shore 
On the Compo sands in the days of yore. 

But a Red Wave came from the boding west 
And bayonets gleamed like a foaming crest, 
And it broke and spread on the Compo sands — 
The scarlet coats of the British bands — 
A wave that hissed like a spray-beat coal 
As the lines "fell in" to the long drum-roll. 

Inland it spread like a forest fire 

And the patriot homes became a pyre 

'Till it struck a blue line like a rock 

And reeled and fled at the shattering shock 

As the guns of the farmer soldiers spoke 

And held their ground like the groves of oak. 

So backward hurtled the scarlet wave- 
Broken and harried, but grim and brave- 
That left its record of oozing blood, 
A weaker wave in its ebb than flood. 
With humbled banners and lowered crest 
It faded away in the lurid west. 

A red wave comes to the shore today. 

But it has a fairer part to play; 

It sends a greeting across the blue 

To brothers in tears for a ruler true. 

This warm red wave is our common blood 

That beats in a friendly brotherhood. 

But ever, a border of buff and blue, 
The sand and sea shall treasure the hue 
Of the patriot soldiery long at sleep 
While the sentry's eyes the waters sweep, 
Embodied prayer that upon this shore 
A hostile wave shall break no more. 

Charles H. Crandall. 
Idylland, Stamford, Conn., June 17, 1910. 

36 




THE STRATFIELD 

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. 
Main, Golden Hill and Chapel Streets 



Two Blocks From Railroad Station 

Two Blocks North on Main Street From Fairfield Avenue 

the Automobile and Trolley Route from 

New York to Boston 

Fire Proof 275 Rooms 260 With Bath 

37 



COUNTRY Homes and Farm Lands. 
Sound View and Bungalow Sites with 
Possibilities and Actualities. 

The High Ridge Region, R. F. D. 30. 'Phone 1371-3. 
Stamford. CRANDALL, Agent. 

Four Miles Northwest of New Canaan. 



JOHNH. COE 

T>RUQQIST 
New Canaan, - - Conn. 

F. E. GREEN 

REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE 

FURNISHED AND UNFURNISHED 
HOUSES TO RENT 

Offices : Scofield's Furniture Store and at residence, South 
Main Street 

The ARDSLEY INN 

Open year around ; three minutes' walk from 
station; modern improvements; private baths; 
tourists accommodated ; excellent table. Lock 
box 563. 

38 



I 



T'S not so much your earnings as your savings 
that make you independent and successful. 
Start an account in the 



Citizens' Savings Bank 

Of Stamford, Conn. 



Four per cent, paid on all deposits. Interest 
draws from the first of every month. 



Deposits, $3,400,000.00 



WILLIAM D. SMITH, President. 

GEORGE E. SCOFIELD, Vice-President. 

WALTER E. HOUGHTON, Secretary and Treas. 
39 



D. R. MERRITT 

JEWELER 

Engraving and Repairing 
Kodaks and Supplies . . 

NEW CANAAN, - - CONN. 

F. C. BENGER 

FINE SHOES 

Strong Shoes /. Best Quality Rubbers 

Whittemore Bros. Polishes 

NEW CANAAN, - - - - CONN. 

W. A. WHELEER 

Real Estate and Insurance 
Farms and Village Property 

Phone 133, Ring 3 NEW CANAAN, CONN. 

N. L. SEAF 
OPTICIAN 

Watchmaker and Jeweler 

Mead Building, New Canaan, Conn. 

Oculist Prescriptions Filled 

Diamond Setter Fine Clock Repairing 

Engraver Gold and Silver Plating 

40 



Established 1854. 

L. M. MONROE, SR. AND JR. 

DRUGGISTS 
NEW CANAAN, CONN. 

EDWARD A. BURDETT 

Dry Goods, Gent's Furnishings, Shades 
and Curtains 

TELEPHONE CONNECTION 

NEW CANAAN, - - CONN. 

R. B. MORSE 

REAL ESTATE 

New Canaan, Conn. Telephone, 180 New Canaan 

If you wish information regarding real estate in New 
Canaan or vicinity, call or write R. B. Morse, New Canaan, 
Conn. 

ELLWOOD BROS. 

CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 

P. O. Box No. 523 

41 



The First National Bank 

STAMFORD, CONN. 



Capital and Surplus Profits, - - $450,000 



This bank offers every banking facility for firms 
and individuals. Checking or commercial accounts 
are v\^elcome, and courteous attention is extended 
to depositors w^ithout regard to the size of their 
accounts. 



Modern Fire and Burglar Proof 
Safe Deposit Vault 



SJFES $5.00 per Jnnum 
and Upward 

42 



F. S. DAWLESS 

General Contractor 



Superior Facilities for Building Fine Country Homes in 
Western Connecticut. 

New Canaan, Conn. 



W. B. SIMON 

PLUMBING, TINNING, HEATING 

Main Street, New Canaan. 

E. S. WHRITENOUR 

Contractor and 
Builder ... 



FINE 

CABINET WORK 

■ NEW CANAAN, CONN. 
4.3 



Modern 
Plumbing 



By keeping in touch 



with all that is new and good in our line and always trying to make 
the " job " at hand more satisfactory than any turned out previously 
we believe 



we can satisfy your 
plumbing wants 



We therefore wish to announce that we can furnish everything neces- 
sary for modern and sanitary work. Our charges, quality consid- 
ered, are surprisingly low. 



W. R. Johnson & Co, 



Main Sreet 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 



44 



Benedict's Shoe Store 

NEW CANAAN, - CONN. 

62 Years on the Same Corner 

Wolfel & Greenwald 
Plumbing, Heating and Tinning 

Stoves and Tinware 

Tel. 7-4 New Canaan, Conn. 

L. S. KNAPP 

MasoH; Builder and Contractor 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 

H. L. SCOFIELD 

Furniture 

Matting and Linoleum Main Street 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 
45 



W. F. WEED 

Pictorial and Commercial Fotografy 
Foto Shop 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 



Always Busy— There's a Reason Grow or Go 

THE ADVERTISER 

John E. Hersam, Editor and Publisher 
NEW CAN AAIV, COXX. 

Issued every Thursday. Yearly Subscription, $1.00 



46 




BARTRAM S MEAD 
Attnrtipga unh (Ununaelnra 

Stamford National Bank Building 
STAMFORD, CONN. 
New Canaan Office, New Mead Building 

MAHON 5t SMITH 

CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS 

Of Stone and Rustic Work 

Cement Work, Curbing, Paving and Grading 

P.O. Box 774 Office, Mead Building, oppo. Hotel 

NEW CANAAN, CONN. 

47 



Years of Experience 



IN supplying the needs of the Sum- 
mer Residents of New Canaan has 
resulted in our having brought together 
for your approval the immense stock of 
* 4t * * Groceries, Hardware, 
Agateware, Tinware, Crockery, House 
Furnishing Goods, Paints, Oils, etc., 
which fill our store. 

A specialty with us is our Teas 
and Coffees. 

Fresh Milk and Cream Daily 



W. A. Smallhorn 

Main St. New Canaan, Conn. 

Phone 



48 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



